The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to eliminating medical tourism by increasing the budgetary allocation for the health sector in 2024. Speaking during a routine supervision visit to the National Eye Centre, Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, and National Ear Care Centre in Kaduna, Dr. Salako emphasized that the increased budget aims to reduce the cost of controlled drugs and medical consumables, streamline the healthcare recruitment process, and address the Japa syndrome affecting medical professionals.
“The federal government’s budget for eye care surgery across Nigeria depends significantly on what the National Eye Centre in Kaduna can deliver. This hospital is strategic to implementing that aspect of the budget, and its staff must rededicate themselves to their work,” he stated.
He urged the National Eye Centre to improve community outreach to tackle preventable blindness and cataracts more effectively. At the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, he advised the management to collaborate with the Kaduna State Government to enhance mental health services at the grassroots level. During his visit to the National Ear Care Centre, Dr. Salako emphasized the importance of teamwork in achieving better healthcare outcomes.
